What programs are used for 3D architectural renderings?

3D architectural rendering software3D Architectural education
Written By Juan Delgado

What software do you need?

There is a vast number of programs that are used for Architectural renderings. From niche products, focusing on design to mainstream programs, where the sky is the limit.

The programs that are primarily used as of (June 2020) are below. I’ll mention them quickly since most of the users have responded correctly and I want to dive more into what each one is best at.

Drafting:

  • Autocad

  • Revit

Volumetric or massing:

  • Sketch up (There’s a Free version)

Modeling:

  • 3D Studio max

  • Cinema 4D

  • Maya

  • Blender (Free)

Render Engine:

  • V-ray

  • Corona (This is our program of choice).

Post- production:

  • Photoshop

  • After effects (for architectural animations)

  • Nuke Studio(node based, frame compositing)

What are the steps to create 3D architectural renderings?

Drafting:

Before modeling Architects usually design the project layout, measurements position that all make up the design of the architectural project.

They mainly used Autocad in 2D version to get a plan view and some elevations. Nowadays more architects are leaning towards Revit which makes it easier to see the volumetric design better while giving you the ability of also designing the layout in 2D.

Sketch up is also very popular between architects but mainly to import a 2D plan from Autocad into Sketchup to play with the massing and volumetric and see how the whole volume feels in 3D.

Modeling:

Professional artist use the 2D plans done in either Revit, Sketch up or Autocad as a blueprint for modeling the whole project in detail. Realistic detail on cornered edges and organic models such as plants are made within 3D Studio max.

Maya has a more popular use in 3D character modeling and animation. The software makes the animation and rigging process more user friendly. It can still be used to model architecture but 3D Studio max is preferred for that.

Even Cinema 4D is a bit more popular than Maya for modeling architecture it isn’t as complex as 3D Studio max and if you are starting out the learning curve can be easier.

If you want to get your feet wet and try modeling without the expense of buying an Autodesk product I recommend trying out Blender. It is a free 3D modeling software capable of delivering most of what 3D Studio max, Maya and Cinema4D offer.

Rendering and render engine:

Vray and Corona are 2 of the most popular and widely used render engines. Render engines are used to create realistic lighting and material calculations. They use complex algorithms to calculate light and textures and are responsible for making architectural renderings so realistic.

As of 2020 3D Studio max comes with a built in render engine called Arnold but they are not as popular since it is more difficult to achieve the same results that you can obtain with V-ray and corona.

The main difference between V-ray and Corona is that V-ray uses passes to deliver the rendered image and Corona calculates the rendering process in continuous rays. In short Vray is more complex and harder to master while corona is easier. But you can achieve almost the same results with either one.

At Trim render we prefer Corona.

There are a few more but these are the 2 main ones that are worth going into detail.

Post- production:

After the rendering process is done and the image is saved, the post process comes into play. Normally renderings don’t come out perfect and to get them exactly like one wants could take a lifetime of work.

This is where post processing comes in.

Photoshop is the most popular for still images, you can change tones, add vegetation, add a nice sky, and do some retouching. It is layer based. Adobe family.

After effects can also be used for still images by just using 1 frame but it’s mainly used for animations. It is layer based. Adding text intro effects, replacing sky, editing the animation timeline and color correction. Adobe family.

Nuke Studio can be used for both still images and animations. It is more complex as it focused on the composition of the image. It is also node based so you would connect nodes between each other instead of layers like in Photoshop and After effects. It is mainly used to work with passes and compositing which is a more complex subject.

I hope this information helps as basic understanding in the rendering process and the whole workflow that goes into the final image of a high quality architectural rendering.

If you want to see what architectural visualizations can be done using this process feel free to visit our gallery where you can see our latest work.

Juan Delgado
Previous

Jumping onboard the NFT hype!